Open Source Collective is now able to hire maintainers, full or part-time, including benefits and healthcare, to work on projects with sufficient financial support.

Open Source Collective exists to promote a sustainable and healthy ecosystem and to sustain open source technology for the future. We take a practical and additive approach to address the challenges we see in the space, working alongside others to offer solutions that build on top of their work, or to provide the foundational services for others to build on top of themselves.

One such challenge we see, which has become inescapably relevant this year, is that there is still a major hurdle for maintainers to vault, even when they have adequate financial support.

They lack an employer.

While it's easy to shout 'pay the maintainers', many a maintainer will tell you that without appropriate healthcare, pension and employment provisions, they simply can't leave their job to become an independent software developer. This is where Open Source Collective is stepping in.

Open Source Collective can now employ maintainers on sufficiently funded projects, including healthcare, benefits, paid annual leave and sick leave as needed. We can do so across the US and internationally in 75 territories around the world. Projects will set salaries and appropriate policies for management for staff (we'll publish guidance for this as needed) while we manage payroll, withholding and paying appropriate taxes and state/territory contributions. Open Source Collective will charge a nominal fee for managing employment and pass on any additional fees from our employment providers.

How do I apply?
Open Source Collective can only offer employment to projects hosted by us, but our organisation's status enables us to work alongside other organisations and funding methods. If your project has a sufficient amount of funding, and enough of those funds are managed through us, we will be able to employ you.

Limits and restrictions
We are a US-based organisation; as such we are able to employ in territories that are not restricted by US sanctions. In addition, we are limited by our employment service provider's coverage. That said our coverage is extensive and growing.

If you're unsure whether you qualify, or you'd like to apply get in touch using this contact form.

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